electric scooters

Electric Scooters- Market’s Challenges And Perspectives

BGauss Sense in the City · June 22, 2021 ·

The electric scooter market in India is expanding because of micro-mobility, a category of transportation that gained much recognition during the peak of our battle against the coronavirus. In a country whose population more or less survives on public transport, the pandemic has continued to shine a bright light on micro-mobility vehicles and the flexibility and safety that come with them. As we slowly reopen our economy and get back on our feet, the demand for electric scooters, bikes and rentals is more than ever and implies a significant impact on the automobile market. Populous countries like India are focusing on shifting their focus from mass-market offerings to advanced ones that benefit consumers and manufacturers alike.

Another important driver contributing to the growth and adoption of EVs, especially scooters and motorcycles, is the growing awareness of greenhouse gas emissions and environmental pollution. Electric vehicles have the potential to reduce dependence on crude oil, and thereby lower the negative ecological impact caused as a result. The emissions produced by green vehicles are not harmful to human health, so embracing green transportation will only enhance an individual’s lifestyle and improve the overall quality of human life.

One other aspect that is starting to find an important place in the transportation landscape, is that of urban mobility. Urban mobility goes beyond basic commuting and includes the possibility of transport facilitating wide and timely access to education, culture, employment and leisure in a safe, swift, environmentally friendly and affordable manner. This is what makes electric scooters especially ideal for urban and semi-urban settings, where micro-mobility and urban mobility go hand in hand. Moreover, the reports support this claim by suggesting that the journeys made via vehicles for less than five kilometres are usually private.

The rate of urbanization, supporting infrastructure and government policies have collectively managed to persuade many areas into embracing micro-mobility and electric scooters, in turn bringing down ecological damage and road congestion. However, like everything else, there’s a flipside to this narrative too, and it is important to identify any challenges involved in the proliferation of electric scooters in India.

Besides the cost factor, here are two of the main reasons why the masses have shown hesitation towards the adoption of electric vehicles in general:

Range anxiety: Even after an electric scooter’s battery is fully charged, its range is limited to 100 or 150 kilometres. Many electric scooters range is even shorter. This presents a challenge as electric scooters are competing against scooters that run on petrol. A scooter that runs on petrol has unlimited range because petrol stations are found everywhere. However, this can be tackled by using detachable portable batteries, like the ones you would find in all BGauss e-scooter models, that can be charged anywhere and don’t depend on extensive charging infrastructure or charging stations. Swappable battery packs are another solution to this problem.
Consumer perception of early adopters: Many early adopters who wanted to own electric scooters, back in 2015 or so, ended up investing in poor quality Chinese vehicles whose make and overall quality was less than satisfactory. For this reason, some even today do not feel comfortable using electric scooters despite the technology inside them has developed considerably. Thankfully, the newest electric scooters are winning consumers over as they’re locally manufactured, assembled and tested. Moreover, they’re designed to suit local tastes and preferences. Indian-origin brand BGauss, for instance, comes from the parent group RR Global who are veterans in electrical solutions and have 13 local manufacturing facilities, and a production setup spanning over 1 million sq.ft. The brand aims to deliver premium yet affordable products that are powered by technology and innovation.

While the reasons above were from a consumer standpoint, there are some additional challenges faced by the manufacturers of these electric scooters.

Fleet renewal and reusability

Ride-sharing platforms are also to introduce electric scooters in the Indian market. However, the introduction will also cause fleet renewal problems. While replacing the existing electric scooters with new ones, there need to be abundant scrapping or replacement policies that eliminate a majority of the expenses with respect to replacing fuel-dependent vehicles. One such measure by the government includes the Voluntary Vehicle-Fleet Modernization Program (VVMP) or “Vehicle Scrapping Policy” which is aimed at creating an Eco-System for phasing out Unfit and Polluting Vehicles”, by incentivizing it for manufacturers and owners.

High dependence on imports

The key components of electric two-wheelers such as the battery, motor, controllers, etc. along with battery components such as Lithium, permanent magnets, cobalt are being imported to India. Hence, there is a concern relating to the import dependence, given that approximately 50% of the critical components are presently being imported into the country for production. However, a few large companies such as Panasonic, are exploring setting up a Li-ion battery module unit in India.

Recycling and end-of-life management of batteries

The rapid adoption of EVs also means an increase in the consumption of lithium-ion batteries and the subsequent rise in the number of spent batteries that would require environmentally sound end-of-life handling. Once they begin losing their capacity, EV batteries can be managed in two ways: they can be repurposed for secondary applications or they can be sent for recycling directly and metals can be recovered from them using technology, industry experts explained. Therefore, a proper e-waste management system needs to be put in place for the correct disposal or upcycling of battery components.

The takeaway from this piece is that one cannot deny that the electric scooter market in India is expanding. However, it is prone to its fair share of challenges, ones that can be overcome with the collective cooperation of manufacturers, consumers and the government. This way, we can together push the cause further and ensure that electric scooters aren’t a short-term fad but the long term mobility solution that’s waiting to happen!

Turn Heads Wherever You Go With Electric Scooters!

BGauss Sense in the City · April 29, 2021 ·

Have you ever noticed how a newly purchased vehicle gets much attention right after it steps out of the showroom? Now imagine experiencing this every day while riding the BGauss range of premium electric scooters. These sustainable yet sophisticated scooters carry an engaging personality and indeed turn heads wherever they go! Before justifying why we’re saying this, let’s take a quick look at what electric two-wheelers are.

Electric scooters fall under the roof of Electric Vehicles (EV) and are in the two-wheeled form. They come fitted with a rechargeable battery. Their engine power ranges from 250W to 1900W, enabling the scooters to attain a 25 km/hr speed to 50 km/hr.

More specifically, the BGauss electric scooters come in two variants:

High-speed electric scooters: offers speed up to 50km/hr

Low-speed electric scooters: offers speeds up to 25km/hr and often don’t require a license.

Electric scooters are becoming increasingly popular in metropolitan cities as an optimal commute solution. As per Business Insider, most current and potential customers are concerned about two essential features of electric scooter: their price and efficiency. Customers prefer investing in an electric scooter that is budget-friendly and can provide maximum speed with no transmission loss. At BGauss, we truly understand what customers are looking for in an electric two-wheeler, and this has informed the creation of products that exceed expectations.

BGauss electric scooters come in two models, B8 and A2. The B8 is available in four colours: Silk Red, Sparkling Blue, Nebula Grey, and Pearl White. The low-speed variant A2 is offered in three colours: Caspian Blue, Glacier Ice and Super White. Each of these products has distinct specifications, designs, features, etc.

The two product ranges have various essential features in common, some of which are highlighted below:

Headlights: The scooters boast designer LED projector lights in their BGauss B8 model, Daytime Running Lights (DRLs), which is bright white light, which gives the driver a crystal-clear vision compliments well with the scooter’s overall style and exterior look.
Paint Quality: Something that contributes heavily to the scooters’ appearance is superior quality paint on the surface. This ensures longer life, extra gloss finish and most importantly, resistance and protection against UV with a special coating. This coating is also resistant to high heat and temperatures.
Boot Space: The storage or boot space of BGauss rides allow the rider to store more than just bike accessories or essentials. This feature prevents the inconvenience of balancing bags and packages in a small room in the footrest area.
Anti-theft and Anti-alarm: Usually, this feature predominantly appears in cars, but the BGauss brand comes with uncompromised safety. Thanks to the advanced anti-theft motor locking and anti-theft alarm features, customers need not worry about theft and vandalism of their vehicles.
Tyre and Wheels: Both B8 and A2 scooters have tubeless tyres that are designed to be airtight. These make them capable of handling punctures better. Tubeless tyres also come with a repair kit that doesn’t involve removing the wheel. The wheels of the BGauss electric scooter are lightweight yet sturdy as they are made from alloy. The back tyre has a rear disc brake whilst there is a disc brake double piston in the front tyre with 180 mm high quality, making the scooter more reliable.
Find your scooter: This extraordinary feature lets you find your scooter when you are not sure where you parked it, you have to press the unlock button on the remote, and the scooter will beep. This helps you park your scooter without worrying about finding it.
Reverse Mode: The reverse mode in the BGauss electric scooters can conveniently and safely turn the scooter backwards.

Apart from the above features, the B8 and A2 each possess traits that distinguish them from one another in matters of both form and function.

The B8 is powered by the superior German technology 1900Watt Bosch motor. This scooter lets you ride up to a speed of 50kms/hour with a range of 70kms. No vibration and smoother acceleration make riding the B8 an outstanding experience. The scooter is aerodynamically designed to give it a sleek look further embellished with a 360-degree chrome finish. It has an attractive multi-coloured LED dashboard with a 180-degree angle view and day and night clear visibility.

Additionally, the scooter has elegant, uniquely shaped tail-lights and integrated indicators that bring out bold and powerful personality. Its high-quality tactile switches and buttons add to the scooter’s appeal. Further, its spacious footboard and centre stand makes the scooter safer and more reliable. Passersby can’t help but take notice of something that manages to fit in while standing out!

On the other hand, the BGauss A2 model lets you ride up to 75kms in a single charge which is apt for travelling long distances within the city. It is an economically friendly scooter powered by a 250Watt water and dust resistant BLDC motor. Its sassy looks, contemporary shape and stylish cluster make it unmissable. The A2 dashboard is quite informative and user friendly in that it provides information related to the indicators, riding mode and battery SOC display and signals the rider about a faulty battery, motor malfunction, controller failure and faulty brakes. Additionally, the footrest and seat handle make for a hassle-free, convenient and significantly less tiring commuting experience for the driver and co-passenger alike.

To sum it up, both the offerings from BGauss are specially designed for customers who wish to switch to an innovative and comfortable travel option. The affordability of these electric scooters further encourages customers to adopt them as a long-term plan towards environmentally conscious travel. BGauss electric scooters embody the idea of futuristic design powered by cutting-edge technology and are sure to get glances thanks to their dynamic display and an endless array of top-notch features!

Book a free test drive of your favourite BGauss Electric Scooter from your nearest dealership store, right now!

How Urban Transport Pattern Is Changing Because Of Electric Scooters

BGauss Sense in the City · April 28, 2021 ·

Technology has brought a rapid change in various industries. One such sector is that of micro-mobility, which has substantially advanced in India. This industry essentially consists of electric vehicles, specifically the two-wheeled variants, that are environmentally appropriate and budget-friendly. Before understanding the growth of this trend and the effect of e-scooters on the urban transport scene, it is necessary to know more about them. Electric scooters are an emerging constituent of the vast electric vehicles’ category. They come with fitted rechargeable, removable batteries and do not consume fuel or give out any vehicular emissions. In the past few years, electric scooters were new in the automobile market.

The awareness of e-scooters grew significantly during the times of coronavirus. There was a sharp rise in the purchase of these scooters due to several reasons discussed further in this piece. It is expected that the sales of electric scooters will only increase more after COVID primarily because of the change in commuting preferences, which are pretty apparent in urbanised locales.

The transition from fuel-driven scooters to e-scooters increased during the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic and the restricted mobility that came with it. During the lockdown, people reduced travelling from public transport and preferred to commute to work by their vehicle. As per a Hindustan Times survey, the approximate public transport usage dipped down to 73%, and around 37% of people changed their mode of transport during the lockdown. Approximately 66% of people preferred to commute by electric bikes, scooters and cycle for 5kms to 7kms. Here are a few reasons why we believe India saw a sudden surge in the popularity of electric two-wheelers and other micro-mobility vehicles during the initial lockdown period:

Social Distancing: With COVID growing more virulent by the day and people slowly inching towards returning to work, even if it meant having to travel, the sensible solution was to maintain social distance by taking a private vehicle instead of public transport. One or two-person micro-mobility solutions like e-scooters or microcars helped them reduce exposure to the elements and allowed them to observe much-needed distance from others.
Smarter Mode of Transport: Most essential employees and frontline workers were having to visit their workplace regularly, if not daily, going by an e-scooter also brought in other benefits like lesser travel time, no dependency on fuel stations which meant more secondary contact, and of course more significant savings.
Environment Friendly: Another reason that influenced people to buy e-scooters was the rise in pollution level. Regular commuters and city dwellers noticed the apparent improvement in the Air Quality Index (AQI) during the lockdown, which made the previously rising pollution levels seem all the more alarming. This encouraged many families to consider investing in e-scooters instead of viewing petrol or diesel driven vehicles as the only private transport option for an urban setting.
Delivery service: Many small-scale businesses or homegrown ones like bakeries or online mom and pop stores also began to use e-scooters to facilitate their logistics requirement while tremendously cutting down costs.

The resultant hike in e-scooter purchases that stemmed from the above factors further triggered the beginning of a disruptive pattern in India’s urban transportation landscape. Here are five exciting ways electric scooters help shape up the future of India’s automobile market!

Increase in ownership of personal vehicle: As per Economic Times, during Covid-19, around 56% of people chose to commute with their car, bike and scooters. This led to a rise in the purchase of private vehicles, especially electric scooters, as they’re cost-effective and best suited to navigate city traffic.
Preference for substitute engine: The substitute sector is the powertrain that is gaining popularity in the 2W and 3W segment. The substitute, replacement or alternate engine helps a motor vehicle run either on fuel or electricity. The alternate engine segment is attracting consumers with the arrival of new market entrants and government incentives. In 2017, electric vehicles set a growth track record of 44%, with approximately 1 million e-vehicles sold. Consumers have gradually switched to alternate-engine vehicles. Moreover, as per research by PGA Labs, 35% of buyers are willing to invest more in electric cars, especially those with alternate engines. It gives them the option to either use fuel or electricity based on their motor vehicle’s fuel electricity consumption. The government policies such as FAME- II, reduced goods and service tax (GST), and increased inclination towards substitutable engines has led to the growth in the Indian mobility industry.
Electrification and Green Zoning: The market share of e-vehicles has drastically increased as the government encouraged electric vehicles to meet the carbon emission target. Further, green zoning facilitated regulations of modes of transportation that reduced impact on the environment. As per World Energy Council India and World Health Organisation, electrification or increase in usage of e-vehicles will help reduce pollution in Indian metro cities.
Subscription-Based Model and Rental Facility: Multifarious mobility like door-to-door mobility solutions has encouraged electric scooters for short routes. Most of the consumers use the subscription-based model or opt for a rental facility before buying electric scooters. Various cities in India are encouraging people to use electric scooters. For instance, Delhi metro encourages commuters to operate electric scooters’ rental services currently available at four stations.
Adoption in Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities: Some consumers who live in semi-urban towns with a population of one million or less had started buying e-scooters as these were easily accessible and affordable for them. As per the Prescient and Strategic Intelligence market research report, over two million two-wheelers in these semi-urban regions use scooters for delivery and courier services. Moreover, approximately 15% of two-wheelers in Uttar Pradesh own electric two-wheelers contributing to the largest market share in the mobility industry. Research also states a rising demand for electric scooters in Delhi and Karnataka. Additionally, Tier 2 and Tier 3 manufacturers have raised $210 million worth of investment on e-scooters. This indicates that the mobility industry, especially electric scooters, will grow further soon.

These patterns and paradigm shifts have directly or indirectly switched consumers’ choice to buy fuel-driven vehicles to electric scooters and other e-vehicles. Brands like BGauss have committed themselves to the cause of creating sustainable yet stylish e-scooters that cater to different segments of consumers. The brand focuses on producing eco-friendly electric scooters and promises to be budget-friendly, chic, and perfect for the urban dweller. The e-scooter brand makes environment-friendly, premium electric scooters in two models, namely B8 and A2. Both their offerings come with a fitted rechargeable battery and a spectrum of unique features. The unique aesthetics, thoughtful and robust design adds to the scooter’s most significant plus points of being fuel-free, noise-free and emissions-free. Micro-mobility solutions such as the ones devised by BGauss are sure to become the city-dweller’s constant companion on the go and the transformation that Indian transportation has been waiting for!